The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has announced nine medical conditions for which it will set clinical management quality standards in 2010-11.

They are: breast cancer, diabetes (types 1 and 2), chronic kidney disease, chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), glaucoma, end of life care, depression and alcohol dependence.

These treatment areas include key areas in which the medtech industry is proving interventional devices, diagnostics and healthcare IT solutions - for example, pacemakers, blood glucose monitors, renal dialysis systems, remote monitoring systems, oxygen therapy and retinal scanners.

NICE quality standards are a set of statements that aim to identify standards for high-quality and cost-effective patient care. They are developed by NICE in collaboration with NHS and social care professionals, their partners and service users. They address three dimensions of quality: clinical effectiveness, patient safety and patient experience.

NICE has produced clinical management quality standards for the care of stroke and dementia and the prevention of venous thromboembolism.